No one likes bad breath or discoloured teeth, not to mention tooth decay or gum disease.

Good oral hygiene is the simple preventative measure that you can take to avoid all these issues. But when you have orthodontic treatment it can be difficult to maintain the same standard of cleanliness.

Below are just a few methods to maintaining a high level of oral hygiene while wearing braces:

Brush, Brush, Brush

Unfortunately, there is no magic replacement for brushing. It is the simplest and best method of maintaining dental hygiene. When you have braces, you may need to increase the frequency of brushing. Three times per day is a better goal for brushing when you wear braces – morning, after lunch, and after dinner

An important thing to remember is that you may need to replace your toothbrush more often when you have braces. Bristles will wear faster during this time.

Use Interdental Brushes – Often known as Piksters

Interdental brushes are an integral part of maintaining oral hygiene when you have braces. The wires of your braces, can make it hard for standard toothbrushes to loosen or remove trapped food particles or plaque buildup. Interdental brushes are designed for cleaning around braces, under wires, and in between larger gaps where floss would be less effective. Piksters are a well-known brand of interdental brushes, and are readily available.

Floss

“Remember to floss” has become a tired mantra, but it really an important part of maintaining dental hygiene. If you are finding conventional flossing with braces too difficult, talk to your dentist about a floss threader, or a Water Flosser (Water Pik).

Water Flossers replace conventional thread floss with a jet stream of water that removes stuck food particles and plaque.

Rinse

Rinse your mouth first with water, and then with a quality mouthwash. This will ensure that your mouth is clean, help reduce outbreaks/duration of any ulcers, and will give you a minty-fresh smile! Ask your orthodontist for a recommendation or proper technique if you have any questions.

Have A Quick Look

Before you finish your routine, make sure you flash a smile in the mirror. This serves two purposes. The first is a final check to ensure that no particles have remained. The second is because a smile never goes astray.

When in doubt… Ask your Orthodontist!

If you have any questions regarding maintaining oral hygiene, talk to your orthodontist. Tony Weir Orthodontics are your local family orthodontists. Contact us today to book an appointment or simply talk to our friendly staff in Greenslopes or Corinda, in Brisbane